Looking at buying an apple but can I play phoenix ?

You can if you install a Windows partition on the Apple. You can use the included bootcamp software on your Mac to manage the partitions, or people have had luck using VMware or Parallels also. But, simply put, Phoenix is not compatible with OS X, but works great on a Mac with a Windows partition.

Until somebody makes a simulator as good as Phoenix that runs on OSX you have no alternative. Believe me, the only time my Mac runs Windows is when I am flying the sim.

I agree with the other guys. Phoenix works great on my 2006 iMac via windows and bootcamp. Snow Leopard has bootcamp on it and partitioning are quite simple. Next step install windows (XP sp2 old higher is all that you need. Next install drivers using your original MAC OS disc and you are good to go. Then to run Phoenix just do a restart with the option key depressed and you will be offered a choice of which OS you want and away you go. If you want to leave the darkside and return to Snow Leopard just restart without the option key depressed and you will automatically reach the promised land.